Server 2019 - rds to VM host machine - No license ser

Question

I have a Server 2019 Std hosting two guest VM's (also Server 2019 STD).

I can log onto the guest vm's (these are sessions hosts) in a RDS/P environment

I cannot log onto the Hyper-V hosting the vm's. The grace period has expired I guess?

Back in the days, I could RDP to any Windows server (2008), with the 2 complimentary RDP connections.

These days it feels like after the grace period expires, you cannot remote to a server unless it points to a Licensing server.

On the server, Remote desktop is enabled in Control Panel/System/remote tab

I have gone into the GPEDIT.MSC and \Windows Components\Remote Desktop License Server and License configuration,

but still get "no license server available..contact administrator.

In the Remote Desktop configuration screen, the hyper-v hosting server is also a session host (same as the two vm's which I can connect too).

Looking for help

Anyone have some things to try to get my rdp connection working?

Best,

Bret

Answer 1

Hello  Bret Stern，

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

Your current error message shows that there is no license server available, do you have the Remote Desktop license server role installed?

Here are some steps to try and resolve your issue:

Verify the Licensing Mode Configuration

Ensure the RDS licensing mode is correctly configured on your Hyper-V host server. You can do this via Group Policy:

1. Open gpedit.msc.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Licensing.
3. Double-click on Use the specified Remote Desktop license servers and set it to Enabled. Then, specify your license server.
4. Double-click on Set the Remote Desktop licensing mode and set it to either Per Device or Per User, depending on your licensing.

Activate the Remote Desktop Licensing Server

Ensure that the license server is activated and that it has valid RDS CALs installed.

1. Open the Server Manager on your license server.
2. Navigate to Remote Desktop Services > Overview > RD Licensing.

Here you can check the licensing status and activate/renew your license server if necessary.

Check the RDS Role Services

Make sure that the necessary RDS role services are installed and configured appropriately on your Hyper-V host and licensing server:

1. Open Server Manager.
2. Navigate to Add roles and features.
3. Ensure that the Remote Desktop Services role is installed, and that the subrole Remote Desktop Licensing is selected.

Reboot the Hyper-V Host

Sometimes a simple restart can resolve issues caused by recent changes in configuration.

I hope the information above is helpful.

If you have any question or concern, please feel free to let us know.

Best Regards,

Haijian Shan